HB5471 Summary

• Creates the Certified Clinically Integrated Peer Support Specialist Act, requiring the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to establish and maintain a registry of certified clinically integrated peer support specialists.

• Defines recognized certifications as requiring 40 hours of training, 3,000 hours of supervised direct peer support experience, letters of recommendation from a mental health professional and supervisor, and passage of an exam on core competencies set by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

• Allows individuals trained and certified in other states to practice in Illinois if they meet the definition of a clinically integrated peer support specialist, hold an approved certification in good standing, and register with the Department.

• Permits the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to use the certification standards to support third-party reimbursement for services provided by clinically integrated peer support specialists.

• Preserves the ability of individuals with lived mental illness experience to offer informal peer support outside clinical care settings and does not restrict other peer support specialist services under state medical assistance programs.